National Louis University (NLU) was founded in 1886 and operates campuses near and in Chicago, Florida, Wisconsin and Poland. NLU Is a nonprofit, private university that played a historic role in education when it helped found the National Parent Teacher Association (PTA) and the National Kindergarten Movement, stressing the importance of professional and academic training in early childhood education practice and theory. NLU operates three schools: The School of Social and Behavioral Sciences, The School of Health and Human Services and The School of Business and Management. Notable alumni include the CEO of The Sherwin-Williams Company, the CEO of Century 21 Real Estate, several musicians and writers, members of the House of Representatives and an Illinois State Senator.
National Louis University Accreditation Details
National Louis University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
National Louis University Application Requirements
The specific application requirements will depend on the psychology or counseling degree pursued. However, undergraduates must submit a completed application, either online or by mail, and include official transcripts from all previously attended institutions. Graduate students are also required to submit an application and transcripts, and those pursuing a degree in school psychology must also submit a personal statement, a professional resume and at least two signed letters of recommendation. Doctoral students must submit the same materials as graduate applicants as well as undergo a faculty review/interview prior to admission.
Tuition and Financial Aid
Undergraduate students pursuing a bachelor’s degree in psychology can expect to pay $6,000 per term or $430 per credit hour if they take fewer than 14 credits. Graduate students pursuing a master’s degree will pay $685 or $744 per semester hour, depending on the specific degree sought. The doctoral degree in community psychology costs $774 per semester hour. Eligible students may be able to take advantage of one or more financial aid options to help offset the cost of tuition. Students must submit a completed Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to determine eligibility.
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Psychology and Counseling Degrees Available
Within The School of Social and Behavioral Sciences at National Louis University, students can choose from a number of degree options at the undergraduate, graduate and doctoral levels. The Bachelor of Arts in Psychology degree program prepares students to use psychological theories and concepts as well as provides a foundation for graduate study and working in business or community settings. This degree is designed for students who have an interest in studying human behavior, for those who are considering pursuing graduate work or a career in psychology and for those who are seeking a career in the business world.
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Students will learn core concepts about experimental psychology, abnormal psychology, social psychology, personality and human development. They will also be exposed to the systems and history of psychology as well as research methods, including design. Coursework covers theories of mental health and personality. Students first complete 60 quarter hours of general education requirements, followed by 50 quarter hours in core psychology courses and 30 quarter hours in general psychology, organizational/community psychology or developmental psychology.
The Master of Arts in Psychology is designed for students who are passionate about human behavior as well as the many career options available in teaching, business and helping professions. Program coursework includes the opportunity to choose focused areas of study by selecting concentrations such as the Teaching of Psychology, Psychological Assessment, Community Psychology or General Psychology.
Students will learn core concepts, including social psychology, personality theories, research methods and human development. They will also be exposed to psychological research and its applications, and they will develop specialized skills and knowledge in their chosen concentrations. To complete the master’s degree in psychology, students must either take a comprehensive examination seminar or write a thesis.
NLU also offers a Master of Science in Industrial and Organizational Psychology (I/O). This degree is focused on the application of psychology in order to solve workplace issues and maximize employee satisfaction and, therefore, productivity. Since the I/O degree focuses on how humans interact within the workplace, graduates can excel in a number of areas, including health, community, academic, public and nonprofit, labor, industry and business organizations. The program draws on subject matter and expertise from The School of Business and Management and The School of Social and Behavioral Sciences. Courses from NLU’s M.S. in Human Resource Management and Development and M.A. in Psychology are also incorporated into the curriculum.
Students will learn how to critique and apply methods for optimizing a team’s effectiveness, how to critically examine the role of work motivation and job attitudes and how they predict behavior, how I/O psychology contributes to productive and effective performance in the 21st century and analyze classic and contemporary theories of leadership. Upon graduation, students will also be able to evaluate the outcomes, techniques, importance and purpose associated with key human resource management processes, including training and development, performance appraisal, selection and retention, recruitment and more.
National Louis University’s School of Social and Behavioral Sciences provides one of the most successful and progressive psychology doctoral degrees in the state. This program offers advanced field training and theory for working with families, individuals and entire communities. Students who enter the Ph.D. in Community Psychology program at NLU gain essential collaborative, research and psychological skills to address an array of social problems, including the environment, health, violence, substance abuse, child abuse, urban education, affordable housing and poverty. The doctoral degree also provides training in qualitative and quantitative methods, policy change, community development, advocacy, evaluation, prevention and intervention, grant writing and other areas.
Graduates will have the ability to view individuals in the context of society, community and family and will gain a fundamental understanding of the complexities of working with a variety of stakeholders and within various community settings. Students will also receive the qualitative and quantitative methodological training necessary to conduct quality research, and they will develop the skills necessary to facilitate an empowerment process that leads to sustainable results. Individuals who earn a Ph.D. in Community Psychology from NLU are prepared for a range of careers, including working as organizational consultants, evaluators, program developers, policy analysts, advocates, educators and researchers. In addition, positions for community psychologists who graduate from National Louis University are available in academic institutions, research centers, nonprofit organizations and governmental agencies.